Learning from God How to Give

God is a great giver. We see Him giving through His Son, Jesus, as the perfect sacrifice. Plus, the Bible teaches us: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17, NIV).

Since God is a giver, then those who are believers in Jesus must learn to be givers as well.

If Christians are going to grow in giving, we must know that God has called us to be givers. Even the Old Testament teaches us to give: “Give generously to [those in need] and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to” (Deuteronomy 15:10, NIV).

We must also give with the right heart. We must take care in our motives for giving. If we are trying to impress others, we are giving with wrong motives. Instead, if we are giving hoping that no one knows what we are doing, then we can give unto the Lord for His glory.

“‘So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full’” (Matthew 6:2, NIV). The motive of the heart plays a huge part in giving.

Next, godly giving is not being compelled to give. Godly giving is giving in joy. “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7, NIV).

When we give with a proper heart, God always responds by giving us His blessings. “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Corinthians 9:6, NIV).

And then Jesus says: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38, NIV). God will bless you with the same measure that you use to measure out your giving.

Are you a godly giver? Do you mentally know that you are expected to give out of obedience? Are your motives correct in your giving? Are you a joyful giver?

When we line up our head, our heart, and our joy, we can give generously and then rest in the knowledge that God will bless us in return.

The reasons that we struggle with giving are various. Some are selfish and would rather horde than give. Others are unaware that God has called us to give. Still, others think that their giving is small and inconsequential. Remember, giving is as much to grow us as it is to bless others. Learn to give.